“If I kick the ball, will you catch it?”
That’s just one of the many questions former Husker wide receiver Matt Davison has fielded from campers at his Creating Captains football camps across the state.
The former NU standout, known for his catch of a kicked ball against Missouri back in 1997, founded the Creating Captains Foundation, not only to teach the intricacies of the sport through football camps, but also to engage youth about social issues that go far beyond football.
On Thursday, Davison was in Nebraska City, delivering his message to a group of third through sixth grade football players.
Football drills were conducted, but more was being taught than simple football skills.
Davison’s Creating Captains message is built on four core values, those being character, courage, leadership and respect.
Davison said the football message can be a vehicle to communicate other values.
“We use Husker football as a platform to get the kids here,” Davison said.
Davison talks to kids about pursuing higher education, being a good teammate, and choosing a healthy lifestyle, as well as making good decisions, dealing with peer pressure and avoiding hazing, bullying and the drug and alcohol scene.
If students listen to those messages and put the principles into practice, Davison said success follows.
“I believe those are the things that made Nebraska football great for so long,” Davison said.
The Nebraska City camp stop was Davison’s sixth in the past eight days.
Other recent camp stops were at Falls City, Murray, Ord, Gretna and Sidney, Neb.
